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Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BCPI) formally announced Thursday, August 27, that they will send Ann to compete in the Miss Globe pageant on October 11 in Toronto, Canada. Ann will fly out on September 20.

Ann and Parul both expressed their happiness about their upcoming pageant assignments.

"Ngayon lang kami na inform na ganito yung pageant namin (We only found out recently about our pageant assignments)....I'm excited, I'm definitely excited. This is my first time to go outside of the country and I'll be able to represent our country," Ann said.

"Of course there is a lot of pressure. They're going to expect a lot from me since I'm going to be the first one pero hindi ko naman kayo ididisappoint (but I won't disappoint you all.). I'm researching, I'm doing my best to prepare," she added.

Photo by Alexa Villano/Rappler

Parul on the other hand said: "I thought I wasn't going to have a pageant. And so when I got the call...I was like 'okay...' but now I'm excited. When you waited for too long, that's how I felt. But now, I'm happy that I have a pageant because we all worked hard for where we are all right now."

Miss Grand International (MGI) is a Thailand based pageant founded by Nawat Itsaragrisil in 2013. According to the information on the pageant's website, the competition aims "to become the world's leading international beauty contest under sponsorship from governments and organizations that will make a stand for the betterment of humanity." The pageant also promotes peace through their Stop The War and Violence campaign.

Prior to BCPI getting the Miss Grand International franchise, John De La Vega, who also trains beauty queens was the pageant franchiser in the country. On his Facebook page, John wished Bb Pilipinas luck in sending representatives to the pageant.

"I sincerely wish the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated, organizer of the country's premier beauty spectacle, the Bb Pilipinas Pageant chaired by Mrs. Stella Marquez de Araneta the best of luck as it now holds the Philippine Franchise of the Bangkok-based international beauty tilt . . Miss Grand International.

"Being a young and independent international pageant franchise/license owner, I have definitely learned a lot during my two-year stint as MGI-Philippines National Director. So I only have my sincerest gratitude for the honor and experience.

"To the lucky Binibini who will wear the Philippine sash this October, my prayers . . and I know you will make us all proud!"

Miss Globe, which is on its 42nd edition is a pageant based in Albania owned by Deliart Association under Petri Bozo. – Rappler.com

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).